Ki-45 hei

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This page is about the Japanese twin-engine fighter Ki-45 hei. For other versions, see Ki-45 (Family).
Ki-45 hei
ki-45_hei.png
GarageImage Ki-45 hei.jpg
ArtImage Ki-45 hei.png
Ki-45 hei
AB RB SB
1.7 2.3 2.3
Research:3 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:6 300 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Ki-45 hei Toryu is a rank I Japanese twin-engine fighter with a battle rating of 1.7 (AB) and 2.3 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.31.

Being a classed as a heavy fighter, the Ki-45 isn't the best in the manoeuvrability category. However, for a heavy fighter, it manoeuvres very well. It is even capable of out-turning aircraft such as the P-47D-25. Unlike heavy fighters of other nations, the Ki-45 series does not feature aircraft with large amounts of heavy weaponry. This is a major downside, considering how heavy fighters traditionally give up manoeuvrability and speed for armament. Instead, the Ki-45s utilize more of an equilibrium between manoeuvrability, speed, and armament. These are what makes the Ki-45 both a capable dog-fighter, and bomber hunter.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 6 300 m570 km/h
Turn time24 s
Max altitude9 900 m
Engine2 х Mitsubishi Ha-102
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight5 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 6,300 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 551 533 9900 24.9 25.5 16.4 16.4 520
Upgraded 593 570 23.2 24.0 23.1 19.5

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
712.5 350 450 444 308 ~11 ~7
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 360 < 320 < 450 > 330

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural713 km/h
Gear350 km/h
  • 16 mm Steel plates behind the pilot

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB245 → 319 Sl icon.png
RB524 → 683 Sl icon.png
SB678 → 884 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications5 970 Rp icon.png
4 500 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost410 Ge icon.png
Crew training1 800 Sl icon.png
Experts6 300 Sl icon.png
Aces80 Ge icon.png
Research Aces135 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
20 / 40 / 90 % Sl icon.png
106 / 106 / 106 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
450 Rp icon.png
Cost:
340 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
380 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
380 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
450 Rp icon.png
Cost:
340 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
mg_turret_belt_pack
Research:
400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
mg15_turret_new_gun
Research:
450 Rp icon.png
Cost:
340 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
ho1_belt_pack
Research:
500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
380 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
20mmtype97_new_gun
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods weapon.png
ho203_new_gun
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
  • Instead of focusing on armament like other heavy fighters, the Ki-45 is more balanced between armament and flight performance.
  • While the default ammunition belts for both weapons on the Ki-45 ko are workable, it can help to upgrade.
  • Unlocking the flight performance modules will help drastically in dogfights and turn fights.

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition15 rounds
Fire rate300 shots/min
Ammunition100 rounds
Fire rate400 shots/min

The Ki-45 hei is armed with:

  • 1 x 37 mm Ho-203 cannon, nose-mounted (15 rpg)
  • 1 x 20 mm Ho-3 cannon, belly-mounted (100 rpg)

Defensive armament

Turret7.92 mm Type 98 machine gun
Ammunition1050 rounds
Fire rate1000 shots/min
Main article: Type 98 (7.92 mm)

The Ki-45 hei is defended by:

  • 1 x 7.92 mm Type 98 machine gun, dorsal turret (1,050 rpg)

Usage in battles

This variant of the Ki-45, the Ki-45 hei, features virtually the same armament as the Ki-45 otsu. Wielding one Ho-3 20 mm cannon and one Ho-203 37 mm cannon, the Ki-45 hei is the pinnacle of a multi-purpose aircraft. Its 37 mm cannon allows it to take down bombers with ease, and its single 20 mm cannon allows for some flexibility in the dog-fighting department. Although deadly, the 37 mm cannon only holds 15 rounds, so shot placement is crucial. The round itself also travels fairly slowly in the air, making it hard to hit fast moving enemy fighters. The 20 mm cannon is best used in an anti-fighter role. Unfortunately, the Ki-45's ground attack role is minimal due to the inability to equip armour piercing rounds for the 37 mm cannon. The Ki-45 hei is also unable to equip bombs.

The Ki-45 hei also retains its impressive turn rate from the Ki-45 tei. Although the aircraft itself is large and presents an "easy target" in many players' minds, the Ki-45 is rather nimble. Use this to your advantage when engaging enemy aircraft. Unfortunately, the Ki-45 is a heavy fighter, meaning its turn time is still not on par with other aircraft such as the F2A-3. In certain cases, the Ki-45 pilot may have to rely on his or her tail gunner to get the job done. The "otsu" version of the Ki-45 features a 7.92 mm Type 98 machine gun with 1050 rounds. Although lacklustre, with shot placement it is possible to destroy enemies on the aircraft's tail. Aim for the pilot or the engine, as those are generally the weakest points on most aircraft. If the tailing enemy is a bi-plane, aim for the wings since they are very fragile.

The Toryu is also rather fragile for a heavy fighter. Although it does feature two engines, the Ki-45 does not have very much armour protection. Only the back of the pilot's seat has armour, leaving both the gunner and engines unprotected. This can prove costly in a fight. If one does find him or herself tailed, call upon teammates for assistance.

  • In simulator, the Ki-45 has a decent frontal view with large pieces of glass in front, on top and to the sides, ensuring great visibility. The gunsight has enough room under, allowing easy tracking and leading of targets. However the side views are terrible as the wings & engines block out most of the view downwards, and a thick frame blocks out the upper area, as a result the common way of circling above an area to spot something is extremely limited. Rear visibility is almost non existent with the entire tail obstructed by the headset.

Tactics

The Ki-45 hei's armament is much more suited for bomber hunting than its earlier machine gun armed variant. With a moderate ammunition pool, it is easily possible to destroy multiple enemies with this aircraft. It is recommended to use the 20 mm cannon only when the pilot is sure he or she will hit the enemy aircraft, as it only holds 100 shells. The 37 mm cannon does impressive damage but requires a high degree of accuracy and lead. Practising with this weapon will help greatly, especially when attacking fighters.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Auto control available
Controllable
Auto control available
Separate Controllable
2 gears
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful 37 mm cannon
  • Good manoeuvrability and climb rate for a heavy fighter
  • Acceptable top speed
  • 16.5 mm of armour in pilot's seat and added armour in the nose around 37 mm gun
  • Twin-engine design

Cons:

  • Beat in turn fights by some aircraft
  • Prone to fuel and engine fires
  • Locks up at high speeds
  • Mediocre roll rate, gets worse as speed increases
  • Lack of protection around fuel tanks, engines, and gunner
  • Pilot is exposed in head-ons
  • Limited ammunition for all weapons
  • Long cannon reload time
  • Limited anti-fighter capabilities

History

Initially designed to be a bomber escort, the Ki-45 was first deployed in what is now China and Vietnam. It was found to be easily outclassed by P-40s piloted by the Flying Tigers. As a result, the Ki-45's role was changed to anti-shipping and ground attack, where it performed satisfactorily. Nonetheless, the Ki-45's greatest strength proved to be its bomber intercepting capabilities. Heavily armed with 37 mm cannon, the Toryu (Dragon Slayer) could destroy heavy bombers with ease. As the war progressed, the need for an interceptor to defend the Japanese mainland was ever present. Soon, the Ki-45 was deployed to counter B-29 Superfortress raids. Although its armament was clearly deadly enough, the Ki-45 suffered at high altitudes. Pilots soon resorted to ramming attacks against the Superfortresses. Special attack groups specifically designed for this purpose formed, but by late 1945 Imperial Japan's fate had been sealed. The Allies allocated the name "Nick" to the Ki-45.


Archive of the in-game description

Kawasaki Ki-45 KAI Hei (Model C) Type 2 Toryu (Allied reporting name: Nick) twin-engine army fighter

The Ki-45 KAI Hei variant, with modified on-board armament (when compared with the Ki-45 KAI Otsu), was specially created to attack sea targets.

A 37 mm Ho-203 automatic cannon with 15 rounds was mounted in the nose fairing, which had its shape modified. A 20 mm Ho-3 cannon with 100 rounds was placed in the lower section of the fuselage.

The 7.92 mm Type 98 machine gun with 1,050 rounds remained in the rear defensive turret. In all other respects, the airframe was like that of the Ki-45 KAI Otsu.

The Ki-45 KAI Hei was extensively used in New Guinea, particularly against American torpedo boats.

One of the Ki-45 KAI Hei fighters was thoroughly tested in 1945 by US Army Technical Intelligence experts. The test results report mentioned the very good takeoff characteristics of the aircraft. Other capabilities won praise too: for example, the American pilots were struck by the machine's horizontal manoeuvrability. Stall characteristics were satisfactory, and pilots could sense when speed loss caused by flow separation was imminent. Landing performance was found to be very good, as well.

Observed drawbacks included the aircraft's low taxi controllability due to poor breaks and the free-pivoting tail wheel. In addition, the aircraft's high nose-up position obscured forward visibility, so there was no choice but to taxi in a zigzag pattern.

In addition to that, the report mentioned significant noise and vibration levels in the cockpit at all speeds, unsatisfactory pilot seat adjustment, and poor downward and backward visibility from the pilot's cockpit.


Media

Skins

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


Kawasaki Aircraft Industries (川崎航空機工業株式会社)
Biplane Fighters  Ki-10-I · Ki-10-I C · Ki-10-II · Ki-10-II C
Fighters  Ki-61-I ko · Ki-61-I otsu · Ki-61-I hei · Tada's Ki-61-I hei · Ki-61-I tei · Ki-61-II Otsu Kai
  Ki-100 · Ki-100-II
Interceptors  Ki-45 ko · Ki-45 otsu · Ki-45 hei · Ki-45 tei
  Ki-96
  Ki-102 otsu
  Ki-108 Kai
Bombers  Ki-32
  Ki-48-II otsu
Captured  ␗Ki-45 hei/tei · ␗Ki-61-I otsu · ▃Ki-61-Ib
See also  Kawasaki Shipyard Co.

Japan twin-engine fighters and strike aircraft
Navy 
Land-based Fighter 
J1N  J1N1
J5N  J5N1
Army 
Ki-45  Ki-45 ko · Ki-45 otsu · Ki-45 hei · Ki-45 tei
Ki-83  Ki-83
Ki-96  Ki-96
Ki-102  Ki-102 otsu
Ki-108  Ki-108 Kai
Ki-109  Ki-109